An Unwilling Conquest Part 21

With an inward snort, Lucinda jabbed her needle into the canvas. She was, she supposed, now too much the businesswoman to enjoy being shortchanged.

But time was slipping away; she couldn't remain at Hallows Hall forever.

Clearly, if she wanted to know just what might be possible, she was going to have to take an active hand.

But how?

Five minutes later, Em entered through the garden door, the hem of her old gardening gown liberally splattered with earth, a pair of heavy gloves in one hand. "Phoofl' Sinking into the other armchair, separated from Lucinda's by a small matching table, Em pushed back wisps of brow ny-grey hair.

"That's done!" She slanted a glance at her guest.

"You look very industrious- quite wifely, in fact."

Lucinda smiled but did hot look up.

"Tell me," Em mused, her sharp gaze belying her idle tone.

"Have you ever considered remarrying?"

Lucinda's needle halted; she looked up, not at her hostess but through the long windows at the garden.

"Not until recently," she eventually said. And returned to her needlework.

Em studied her down bent head, a definite glint in her eye.

"Yes--well, it takes one like that. Suddenly pops into your mind--and then won't get out." With an airy wave of her gardening gloves, she continued,

"Still, with your qualifications I hardly think you need worry. When you get to London you'll have a goodly selection of beaux lining up to put a ring on your finger." Lucinda slanted her a glance.

"My qualifications?"

Em's wave became a flourish.

"Your breeding for one--nothing wrong with that, even if your parents were disowned. Your grandparents could hardly change the blood in their veins--as far as Society's concerned that's what counts." As if just struck by the fact, Em added,

"In fact, the Giffords are as well connected as the Lesters."

"Indeed?" Lucinda eyed her warily.

Blithely, Em continued,

"And there's your fortune, too--that legacy of yours would satisfy the most demanding. And you're hardly an antidote--you've got style, that indefinable something--noticed it straight off.

Once the Bruton Street mesdames get a look at you they'll be wing for your custom, mark my words. "

"I am, however, twenty-eight."

The blunt comment brought Em to a blinking halt. Turning her head, she stared at her guest.

"So?"

Lucinda grimaced and looked down at her work. "Twenty-eight, I suspect, is somewhat long in the tooth to be attractive to town beaux."

For an instant longer, Em stared at her, then hooted with laughter.

"Rubbish, my dear! The ton's awash with gentlemen whose princ.i.p.al reason for avoiding matrimony is that they cannot stomach the bright-eyed young misses."

She snorted.

"More hair than wit, most of them, believe me."

She paused to study Lucinda's face, half averted then added,

"It's very common, my dear, for men to prefer more experienced women."

Lucinda glanced up--and met Em's eye. A light blush slowly spread across her cheeks.

"Yes, well--that's another thing." Her gaze flicked to the green vistas beyond the window as she dragged in a determined breath.

"I'm not. Experienced, I mean."

Em stared.

"Not?"

"My marriage wasn't really a marriage at all--it was a rescue."

Lucinda frowned, her gaze dropping to her tapestry.

"You must remember I was. only sixteen at the time--and Charles was nearing fifty. He was very kind-we were good friends." Her voice low, she added, "Nothing more."

Straightening her shoulders, she reached for her scissors,

"Life, I fear, has pa.s.sed me by-- I've been put back on the shelf without having been properly off it in the first place."

"I ... see." Em blinked owlishly at the tips of her half boots peeking from beneath her dirtied hem. A broad smile slowly broke across her face.

"You know--your... er, inexperience is not really a handicap, not in your case. In fact," she continued, her old eyes lighting, 'it could well be a positive advantage. "

It was Lucinda's turn to look puzzled.

"You see, you have to think of it from your prospective husband's point of view." Eyes wide, Em turned to face her.

"What he'll see is a mature and capable woman, one of superior sense who can manage his household and family while at the same time providing more--' she paused to gesture '--satisfying companionship than a young girl ever could.

If you make no show of your innocence, but allow him to--' she gestured again as she groped for words '--stumble on it in good time, I'm sure you'll find he'll be only too delighted." With a last shrewd glance at Lucinda's face, Em added,

"I'm sure Harry would be."

~ Lucinda's eyes narrowed. She favoured her impossible hostess with a long stare. Then, looking down to tidy her needlework, she asked,

"Has he ever shown any interest in marryingT' " HarryT' Em sat back, a smile on her lips.